Prognostic significance of prolactin receptor on overall survival of patients with early breast cancer: a long-term retrospective analysis

Abstract The value of prolactin receptor (PRLR) determination in predicting overall survival has been retrospectively evaluated in a group of 170 women bearing primary breast cancer stage I, II and IIIA. All patients underwent surgery (radical or modified mastectomy or quadrantectomy and axillary dissection followed by radiotherapy according to TNM stage) between January 1977 and December 1986. In all patients, oestrogen and progesterone receptors concentrations were also determined. Overall actuarial survival was higher in patients having PRLR positive tumours when compared to patients having PRLR negative tumours (p = 0.0126). No difference in survival was observed between oestrogen or progesterone receptor positive or negative patients. Using Cox's multivariate analysis on 164 patients, stage and PRLR status were the only significant prognostic factors affecting survival (

The role of inflammation in patients with intraductal mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas and in those with pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Background: There are very few data regarding inflammation in patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas. Aim: To evaluate the circulating concentrations of placental growth factor (PlGF), transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-\u3b1), transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-\u3b21), tumour necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNF-R1) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in patients with IPMNs and in those with pancreatic adenocarcinomas. Patients and Methods: Sixty-nine patients were enrolled: 23 (33.3%) had IPMNs and 46 (66.7%) had histologically confirmed pancreatic adenocarcinomas. Thirteen healthy subjects were also studied. PlGF, TGF-\u3b1, TGF-\u3b21, TNF-R1 and MMP-2 were determined using commercially available kits. Results: TNF-R1 (p=0.003) was the only protein significantly different among the three groups. Conclusion: Serum TNF-R1 was elevated in patients with IPMNs and in those with pancreatic adenocarcinomas, suggesting a high apoptotic activity in both groups of patients studied

Calibration and validation of an algorithm for remote sensing of turbidity over La Plata river estuary, Argentina

The La Plata River, located at 35°S on the Atlantic coast, is one of the largest waterways of South America. It carries a large amount of suspended particulate and dissolved organic matter, and is considered among the most turbid waters of the world. Very high values of total suspended matter have been reported in this region, with mean values ranging from 100 to 300 g m-3 and extreme concentrations up to 400 g m-3. Satellite sensors have shown to be the best tools available to map river plumes and to study their influence on the adjacent ocean. However, global algorithms for remotely estimating sediment concentration are not currently available. Moreover, such high sediment loads represent a challenge to atmospheric correction algorithms which usually rely on the assumption of zero water-leaving reflectance in the near infrared or short wave infrared part of the spectrum (black pixel assumption). In the extremely turbid waters of La Plata Estuary such assumptions are not valid. A two band algorithm to estimate turbidity using near infrared and the short wave infrared bands (858 nm and 1240 nm) of the MODIS-Aqua sensor is presented. The model is calibrated using in situ reflectance and turbidity measurements from turbid waters of the Southern North Sea and Scheldt River (Belgium) and then applied to MODIS imagery of La Plata River estuary (Argentina). A good correlation was found between modelled and in situ turbidity values when the algorithm was applied to concurrent MODIS imagery. Moreover, satellite-derived turbidity maps show a spatial distribution of sediment consistent with patterns and characteristic features of the estuary

Potential clinical value of circulating chromogranin A in patients with prostate carcinoma

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Distribution and ecology of <i>Pseudo-nitzschia</i> species (Bacillariophyceae) in surface waters of the Weddell Sea (Antarctica)

The distribution of six Pseudo-nitzschia species and their relationship with environmental conditions were studied for the first time in a vast zone of the Weddell Sea (∼61–77°S, Antarctica). Both qualitative and quantitative phytoplankton samples, collected during summer 2004, were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. Phytoplankton abundance and composition showed great variability along our study area. Diatoms were the most conspicuous phytoplankton group in the northern area while small flagellates were generally dominant in the southern stations. The genus Pseudo-nitzschia was broadly distributed and significantly contributed to total diatom densities. A marked contrast in Pseudo-nitzschia species distribution was observed in three main zones divided by the Weddell Front (WF) and the Antarctic Slope Front (ASF). P. subcurvata and P. turgiduloides were the most abundant species in the neritic Weddell Sea zone, south of the ASF, mainly near the ice-edge in shallower waters and in conditions of long photoperiod. In contrast, P. prolongatoides and P. lineola dominated north of the ASF; the first was associated with deeper and nutrient-rich waters whereas the latter showed a weak relation with environmental variables examined. Finally, P. turgidula and P. heimii were mostly observed in the Weddell–Scotia Confluence Zone in the warmest and far from ice covered waters, north of the WF. A brief morphological Pseudo-nitzschia species description is given in the Appendix, including morphometrics and pictures.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Adjuvant sequential methotrexate → 5-fluorouracil vs 5-fluorouracil plus leucovorin in radically resected stage III and high-risk stage II colon cancer

The aim of the study was to determine whether modulation of 5-fluorouracil (FU) by methotrexate (MTX) improves survival compared to FU+6-s-leucovorin (LV) following potentially curative resection of stage II and III colon cancer. Within 8 weeks from surgery, 1945 patients with stage III (44%) or high-risk stage II (55%) colon cancer were randomly assigned to receive either 6 monthly cycles of FU 370 mg m−2 i.v. bolus preceded by LV 100 mg m−2 i.v. bolus on days 1–5, or 6 monthly cycles of sequential MTX 200 mg m−2 i.v. days 1 and 15 and FU 600 mg m−2 i.v. on days 2 and 16 followed by LV rescue (15 mg given p.o. q 6 h × 6 doses). Levamisole 50 mg p.o. t.i.d. on days 1–3, every 14 days for 6 months, was planned to be given in both arms. After a median follow-up of 4.2 years, 568 patients have relapsed and 403 have died. Survival was similar with MTX → FU and FU+LV (77 vs 77% at 5 years; P=0.90), as were 5-year disease-free survivals (67 vs 63%; P=0.44). Efficacy results were similar for both stage III and II patients. There were two toxic deaths, two in the MTX → FU arm (0.2%) and zero in the control arm. We conclude that biochemical modulation of FU with LV or with MTX produces similar results in the adjuvant setting of colon cancer

Plasma concentrations of angiogenetic factors and angiogenetic inhibitors in patients with ductal pancreatic neoplasms. A pilot study

The aim of the study was to evaluate the circulating concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), vascular endothelial growth factor-D (VEGF-D) and endostatin in patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), and in those with ductal adenocarcinomas. METHODS: Sixty patients (32 males, 28 females, mean age 69.3\ub111.3 years) were enrolled: 31 (51.7%) had IPMNs and 29 (48.3%) had histologically confirmed pancreatic adenocarcinomas. Thirty blood donors were also studied as controls. In all study subjects, the concentrations of VEGF, VEGF-D, VEGFR-2, and endostatin were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: Serum concentrations of VEGF, VEGF-D, and VEGFR-2 were significantly higher in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and those with IPMNs compared with healthy subjects, while endostatin was significantly higher only in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma compared with healthy subjects. Within the group of patients, VEGFR-2 was significantly higher in patients with ductal adenocarcinoma compared to those with IPMNs. The sensitivity and the specificity of VEGFR-2 in differentiating patients with ductal adenocarcinomas from those with IPMN at a cut-off range of 4003-4034 pg/mL was 86.2% and 54.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: IPMNs have serum VEGFR-2 concentrations different from those in patients with ductal adenocarcinomas. However, serum VEGFR-2 cannot be routinely utilized to differentiate IPMNs from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma